Women who inspire me

Glamour has invited all the presidential candidates to guest-blog on Glamocracy; their postings will appear between now and Super Tuesday, February 5.

Today’s guest blogger is John Edwards.

Tell us what you think about this blog posting. And read what the Glamocracy bloggers have to say.

I am blessed to have strong women in my life who inspire me, who teach me, who challenge me and who support me. On issue after issue, I turn to my wife Elizabeth for her insight and advice. I’ve learned so much from her, my daughter Cate and my mother Bobbie. Their experiences have helped shape who I am.

I grew up in a family where my grandmother walked to work at the mill every day. My mother worked all her life too, running a shop and later working at the post office. I watched them work hard so I could have a better life—and that’s what my campaign is about. I am running for president to make sure every woman and every man has an equal opportunity to work hard and build a better life for their children.

My grandmother and my mother instilled in me a strong belief in the value of hard work. I believe we need to honor hard work by making sure no woman has to choose between taking care of her children and earning a living. That’s why I’ll make it easier for working mothers by raising the minimum wage, offering seven paid sick days a year, expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act and making child care more affordable.

I also want to make sure all young girls have the same opportunity as my daughter to get a higher education. Cate is now in law school, and I’m so proud of everything she has accomplished. Elizabeth and I believe so strongly in the importance of college that we started a College for Everyone program in a rural county in eastern North Carolina. Our program pays for the first year of college for any student willing to work hard.

Finally, it’s critical that we pass universal health care. I’ve met so many women along the campaign trail who come up to me and say that like Elizabeth, they have breast cancer, but unlike Elizabeth, they don’t have health insurance. Every American deserves quality, affordable health care.

I am running for president on behalf of women like my grandmother and my mother, like Elizabeth and Cate—women who have worked hard on behalf of their families and on behalf of the next generation. I am running for president to make sure all these women, and all Americans, have the chance to work hard and achieve their dreams.